Federal MP Steven Ciobo will honour the Gold Coast’s outstanding local role models at the 2003 Moncrieff Community Awards at the Southport RSL this Thursday evening (1 May).

Mr Ciobo will host the awards at which some 65 Gold Coasters will be recognised for their voluntary contributions to local service organisations.

The special presentation ceremony will also feature a keynote address by Pat Farmer, a great Australian and former ultra-marathon runner turned Federal MP.

Mr Ciobo said the Moncrieff Community Awards would formally acknowledge the voluntary contributions that many people in our local community have made over the years.

“It is humbling to see the work of these are ordinary Gold Coasters who are making an extraordinary contribution,” Mr Ciobo said.

“These people are the ones who hold our community together by donating their time to churches, charities, surf clubs, veterans’ groups and other volunteer organisations to make the lives of others a little better.”

“These ‘backyard heroes’ are helping to build a strong and safe community for future generations to enjoy.

“People often say to me that the Gold Coast’s greatest asset is our strong sense of community, but if we want to retain this we must make an effort to thank our local role models,” he said.

Individuals and local community organisations have nominated recipients for the awards, which will be presented in three categories - Outstanding Service Award, Valued Service Award, and Participation and Service Award.

…/ENDS

Editor’s Note: Profiles of individual award recipients are available on request.